Deceitful Vows (Marital Privileges #2)

31. Andrik

31

ANDRIK

I ’m not surprised when Anoushka’s tired eyes are the first I spot when exiting Zakhar’s room. It’s late, but Anoushka doesn’t sleep until all the Dokovic children she raised are settled—myself included.

In an endeavor to lessen some of the burden weighing down my chest, I returned home to once again try to convince Zakhar’s medical team to move him closer to the base I am endeavoring to set up near Myasnikov.

It only took one glance into Zak’s pained eyes to know my efforts would be fraudulent.

He is extremely unwell.

I wait for Anoushka to join me at the side of the den before instructing, “Call Dr. Makarand and request his attendance at the first available convenience.” I shift on my feet to face Zakhar’s room before breathing out some of my annoyance with a handful of words. “His pain is increasing to a level I’m uncomfortable with.”

“It is,” she agrees, her tone as low as mine, her shoulders just as heavy. “But Dr. Makarand announced earlier this evening that Zak can’t be offered more medication. He has reached his limit.”

I cuss before an excuse to shift my rapidly building anger onto someone else forms.

“Dr. Makarand was here earlier?” I’m yelling, and it is unsuitable. I am just too stunned she overstepped my directive to act cordial.

I specifically stated last night that no one was to enter Zakhar’s room without my explicit consent. Keeping him hidden isn’t solely about his safety. It is one of only a handful of things keeping his will to live alive.

Zakhar is nearly five. That means the woman he asks about a million times a day has mere weeks to live. I was unaware of his existence only a month ago, but that doesn’t mean I want him to experience the pain Mikhail and I were forced to endure during our childhood.

“Yes,” Anoushka whispers, her head bobbing softly. “He arrived with Dr. Fairmont.” Her suddenly wide eyes bounce between mine. “I was of the belief you knew of their attendance today.”

She swallows harshly when I reply through clenched teeth, “This is the first I’m hearing of it.”

“With Arabella’s first attempt at conception unsuccessful, a second round was scheduled for this morning,” announces a voice from the side—a voice becoming far too familiar for how agitated it makes me. “It was meant to be after your meeting yesterday, but it was pushed back when Dr. Fairmont was unable to find you to gain your permission for the insemination. Allegedly, he was informed that the schedule in our contract had been postponed.”

Dina hands Anoushka her empty gin glass before shooing her away as if she is the help.

She is a paid member of my team, but I will never see her as the help.

She is family—unlike the crustation standing across from me.

“Dr. Fairmont tried to reach you for confirmation, but after seeing how poorly dear Zakhar is, your father figured it was best to forge forward with your initially devised schedule.” She emphasizes certain parts of her reply to ensure I don’t forget who commenced this ruse. “Was that wrong of him to do?” She continues talking before I can tell her that I’ve murdered people for less. “Time isn’t in your favor, Kazimir. Appeasing them is your brother’s only lifeline.” A confidence she shouldn’t hold flares through her eyes. “They like my daughter. She is their first and only pick. So perhaps you should consider how unpleased they will be if they were to learn that you continue to stain their legacy for a penniless hick from Mysan?—”

I pin her to the wall by her throat before all her reply leaves her mouth. There’s nothing kind about my grip. Nothing weak. I strangle her with the full intention of killing her.

My anger doesn’t center around having my authority overridden. I will get back to that after ensuring Dina is aware that her wealth doesn’t make her a better person.

“A penniless hick who has more class in her pinkie than you do in your entire body.”

I tighten my grip, loathing the pinkness rimming her lips.

It needs to be several shades darker.

“A penniless hick who could have any man she wants. A penniless hick who can wipe your daughter from my mind with one sideways glance. Is that the penniless hick you are referring to, Dina?” I pull her forward before slamming her back. “If she is who you are referencing, you should bow at her feet and pray for her forgiveness because if it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t know I have a heart in my chest, and you would already be dead.”

I had nothing to live for and nothing to lose, so the only thing I feared in the wake of my demise was not taking enough people down with me.

My opinion changed a month ago.

It was approximately twelve hours before I learned of Zakhar’s existence. How much more proof does Dina need that she placed her chips on the wrong number?

My grip loosens a smidge when a voice full of nobility breaks through the madness engulfing me. “As much as you hate what she is saying, anger cannot excuse the truth.” My father steps closer, switching the scent of death leeching from Dina to hope. “Zakhar will not live without the federation’s help.” He places his hand on my shoulder, squeezing ever so gently. “And neither will you.”

I want to deny his insinuation before proving it isn’t factual. I want to yell at him to man the fuck up and return the notoriety our family name deserves. But the palest blue eyes I’ve ever seen stop me.

He shouldn’t be out of bed, much less witnessing his brother murder his father.